Lake Bob Sandlin - 2013 Survey Report

This is the authors' summary from a 37-page report. For a
copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Bob Sandlin, Texas, were surveyed in 2013 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2014 using gill netting. Anglers were surveyed from June 2013 through May 2014 with a creel survey. Historical data are presented with the 2013-2014 data for comparison. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Lake Bob Sandlin is a 9,116-acre impoundment located on Big Cypress Creek in the Cypress River Basin. The lake is located in Titus, Camp, and Franklin Counties. Habitat features consisted of standing timber, bulkhead, piers and docks, rock and gravel, and native aquatic plants. Coverage of hydrilla, alligatorweed, and Eurasian watermilfoil has been low in recent years.

Fish Community

Prey species: Threadfin Shad continued to be present in the reservoir. Electrofishing catch of Gizzard Shad has increased, and many Gizzard Shad were available as prey to most sport fish. Bluegill were abundant. Redear Sunfish and Longear Sunfish also added to the prey fish community.

Catfishes: The Blue Catfish population has continued to improve through additional stocking; however, stocked Blue Catfish have yet to reach sexual maturity. The Channel Catfish population was excellent with fish collected in gill netting surveys as long as 28 inches. Flathead Catfish were also present in the reservoir.

White bass: White Bass were present in the reservoir; however, few anglers targeted them. Because spawning habitat is limited for White Bass, population relative abundance is generally low.

Largemouth bass: Largemouth Bass catch rate in the most recent electrofishing survey was lower than it was in previous years. This is likely due to low water levels in the reservoir for the past 4 years. Largemouth Bass had fast growth (age at 14 inches long was 2.0 years). Approximately 35% of angling effort was directed at Largemouth Bass from June 2013 through May 2014. Spotted Bass were also present and provided additional opportunities to anglers.